Background
The Inclusive Governance Peace and Prosperity Portfolio [IGPAP] encompasses a broad range of substantive areas. The governance unit implements multi-sector programs that support democratic institutions and government machinery, including Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) and Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). Key focus areas include strengthening democratic institutions, local government capacity-building to facilitate decentralization, rule of law, access to justice, human rights, security, peace, and social cohesion. The unit also fosters inclusive and participatory spaces for civil society, media, local and left behind communities, and marginalized groups, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). These efforts integrate innovative, data-driven approaches to mainstream gender equality, conflict sensitivity, and vulnerability reduction strategies. The Governance Coordination Analyst plays a crucial role in strengthening democratic governance, institutional capacity-building, and policy development. The GO works within UNDPโs framework, ensuring governance initiatives align with national and international development strategies. The role requires close collaboration with programme staff, Programme management Support Team, operations teams, government officials, experts, and civil society stakeholders to ensure effective programme implementation.Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Team Leader (Governance Portfolio), the Governance Coordination Analyst:
Supports 60% of the portfolio management under the Strengthening Democratic Institutions Programme while assisting other programmes focused on access to justice, peace, and social cohesion. Provides 40% support to compliance, programme contracts management, resource mobilization, and governance analysis and policy advisory services.Key duties and responsibilities:
I.ย Programme Implementation:
Conducts political, social, and economic analysis to inform substantive programme strategies; Engages in business process mapping and prepares internal Standard Operating Procedures for results management; Collaborate with Team to provide support to planning implementation and monitoring reporting, communication, and evaluation for the projects; Assisting in the organization of events related to the work of the Portfolio.II.ย Governance Portfolio Management:
Assist in supporting the Governance Team Leader and Portfolio in implementation of the governance team and overall portfolio; Provide substantive analysis of issue impacting on governance, rule of law, human rights and peace and social cohesion in Sierra Leone and make appropriate recommendations for reforms and improving institutional processes;ย Assisting in the preparation of concept notes, background papers, reports, speeches, talking points and letters; Organizes and supports regular unit meetings, documenting discussions for shared reference; Facilitates unit-level planning, monitoring, and evaluation, coordinating performance metrics with programme managers.III.ย Governance Programme Quality Assurance:
Supports programme initiation, project approval processes, and budget re-phasing exercises; Assist with project closures by conducting comprehensive reviews and documentation; Works with Programme Assistants (PAs) to monitor procurement orders, voucher approvals, and project processes; Ensures audit recommendations are effectively implemented, reporting any exceptions in a timely manner; Supports specialists in aggregating reports and preparing donor briefings.IV.ย Strategic Partnerships & Resource Mobilization:
Provide the Governance team with support to develop partnerships with the private sector, civil society, and academia in alignment with UNDPโs strategic goals; Support the coordination of meetings/ workshops with development partners, including preparation and delivering of project results; Prepare concept papers and proposals, briefing notes, statements, talking points, and speeches for Senior Management regarding governance programmes; Develop project summaries and visibility materials for donors and stakeholders.V.ย Programme Compliance and Contracts Management:ย
Provide support to the Country office and Governance team to review and ensure compliance of service providers to ensure clarity and compliance with legal standards; Conduct scheduled monitoring of programme contract compliance and report on their performance; Maintain a comprehensive contract database and ensure that all documentation is accurate and up to date; Collaborate with Programme management Support team to ensure alignment of vendor contract terms and execution; Conduct regular spot checks in close collaboration with Monitoring and Evaluation teams to ensure compliance of Governance projects with organizational policies, national laws, and regulations.VI.ย Advisory & Knowledge Management:
Identify key sources of policy information and synthesize best practices for dissemination; Contributes to knowledge generation and sharing networks and communities of practice; Contribute to development of policy and technical papers on key topical issues.ยThe incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
Core
Achieve Results:ย LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pay attention to details, deliver quality work by deadline. Think Innovatively:ย LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements. Learn Continuously:ย LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback. Adapt with Agility:ย LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible. Act with Determination:ย LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in the face of adversity, confident. Engage and Partner:ย LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships. Enable Diversity and Inclusion:ย LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
System Thinking:
Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.Project Management:
Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals.Partnership Management:
Communication:
Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels.Nature:
Strengthening democratic governance, institutional capacity-building, and policy development.Multi-stakeholder engagement and funding:
Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms.Budget management:ย
Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (Masterโs degree or equivalent) in Law, Development Studies, Political Science, International Relations, Strategic Communication, Social Development, Advocacy, Public Administration, or related fields is required. Or A first-level university degree (Bachelorโs degree) in the above fields in combination with additional two (2) years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in-lieu of the advanced university degree.Experience:
Minimum of two (2) yearsโ experience (with mastersโ degree) or (four) 4 years (with bachelorโs degree) of relevant experience in Law, Governance Policy, Public Sector Management or related field; Hands-on experience/writing skills for drafting proposals reports, policy briefs etc. ; Demonstrated expertise in Resource Mobilization and implementation of governance projects;ย Familiarity with project planning, scheduling, budgeting, and reporting tools (e.g. MS Project etc.); Proven ability to track project performance, assess outcomes and report on key indicators; Experience identifying and mitigating project risks, especially those related to compliance or stakeholder dynamics; Previous experience with democratic institutions, public sector governance, and justice systems is an advantage; Proven ability to engage in policy, regulatory, and technical advisory services at national and local levels; Strong proficiency in digital tools and web-based management systems; Familiarity with the functioning of the government of Sierra Leone would be an asset; Deep understanding of Sierra Leoneโs political and governance landscape is highly desirable; Experience in compliance and legal and contracts management will be desirable; Proven experience/understanding of governance frameworks, public administration, or institutional reforms, especially in the context of government or non-profit sectors.Required Language(s):
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of any other Sierra Leonean language is desiredEqual opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.ย
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
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